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Correspondent

23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Algorithmic Anarchy

The NEET paper leak protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar should have remained a legitimate expression of student anger over the collapse of examination integrity. Instead, as the agitation escalated into clashes with the police, abusive sloganeering and an increasingly radical political campaign, Meta’s algorithms emerged as an invisible force multiplying the unrest. The controversy surrounding the brief removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to the youth in the aftermath of the...

Algorithmic Anarchy

The NEET paper leak protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar should have remained a legitimate expression of student anger over the collapse of examination integrity. Instead, as the agitation escalated into clashes with the police, abusive sloganeering and an increasingly radical political campaign, Meta’s algorithms emerged as an invisible force multiplying the unrest. The controversy surrounding the brief removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to the youth in the aftermath of the protests only reinforces that concern. Meta has attributed the takedown to a “technical glitch” and apologised. But when the world’s largest social media platform can temporarily suppress the message of the elected leader of the world’s largest democracy during a politically charged moments, the issue extends well beyond a single deleted post. Who decides what India sees? That question has become impossible to ignore during the Cockroach Janta Party’s protests. Across Instagram and Facebook, users have reported being inundated with CJP videos, reels and protest clips despite never following the organisation or engaging with similar political content. Whether this resulted from coordinated paid collaborations, recommendation algorithms or both deserves a thorough investigation. But the larger democratic concern is that public opinion is increasingly being mediated not by citizens, journalists or elected representatives, but by opaque algorithms designed in Silicon Valley and optimised for engagement rather than democratic responsibility. Meta’s recommendation engine is not a passive notice board. Every piece of political content that reaches millions has first been selected by an algorithm whose workings remain largely hidden from public scrutiny. This is hardly unique to India. Around the world, Meta has repeatedly been accused of amplifying polarisation, misinformation and political extremism because outrage keeps users engaged. From elections to ethnic conflicts and episodes of civil unrest, the company has faced persistent criticism that its commercial incentives reward divisive content over balanced discourse. Democracies cannot afford to outsource the architecture of public debate to corporations whose primary obligation is to shareholders rather than constitutional values. While citizens are entitled to challenge governments and demand accountability, there is an important distinction between a movement that expands because people are persuaded and one that appears to be algorithmically amplified into omnipresence. Equally disturbing has been the normalisation of abusive political language during the protests. When such content is repeatedly amplified through recommendation systems, platforms cease to be neutral intermediaries and become active participants in degrading democratic discourse. Platforms that influence elections, protests and public opinion must explain how political recommendations are generated and why particular narratives receive extraordinary amplification. Silicon Valley companies insist they are merely technology platforms. But their algorithms increasingly exercise editorial power. When software determines which protests dominate national conversations and whose voices disappear, technology has already become politics.

The Quiet Echoes of a Gentleman: The Future of Ajinkya Rahane

There comes a point in every sporting career when statistics stop defining a player, and character begins to speak louder. For Ajinkya Rahane, that moment may already be here. The elegant middle-order batsman, who once stood as the very embodiment of composure and grace under pressure, now finds himself staring into the twilight of his illustrious career. The question is no longer whether Rahane can make another comeback, but whether he should. And even more profoundly—what does the future hold for a player who has given more than numbers can measure?


Rahane’s story is one of contrasts. In an era dominated by aggression and flamboyance, he has been the quiet craftsman crafting moments of calm. While the modern cricket narrative favors loud charisma and explosive batting, Rahane remains the last echo of a purer age—of technical discipline, humility, and an unwavering focus on team before self. Perhaps that is both his greatest strength and his greatest burden. He never demanded attention; he earned respect.


When Rahane led India to that historic Test series win in Australia in 2021, after Virat Kohli’s departure, it wasn’t merely a leadership masterclass—it was an emotional statement. He led through empathy. There were no grand speeches, no fiery expressions; only quiet assurance that performance would speak. Those four Tests sealed his place in Indian cricket folklore forever. Yet, the years since have told a different story—form dipping, opportunities shrinking, and younger talents rising fast through the ranks. In the eyes of selectors, sentiment often struggles to match the ruthless logic of numbers.


But evaluating Rahane purely by statistics feels unjust. A player like him cannot be measured in averages or strike rates alone. His contribution lies in something less tangible, yet more enduring—his ability to hold the fort, to bat for time, to bring calm when chaos reigns. In a sport where emotional temperament often dictates success, Rahane’s serenity has long been a steadying force. His quiet resilience, even amid personal uncertainty, provides a masterclass in emotional intelligence.


So, what lies ahead for him?

If one looks at his current trajectory, Rahane’s international future appears uncertain. His role in Test cricket has diminished, with newer names like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad stepping forward. For an athlete of Rahane’s pedigree, the reality of being on the periphery must be a heavy emotional load to carry. Yet, there is grace even in transition. The key is acceptance—not as resignation, but as evolution. Cricket, after all, has never been kind to time; but time, handled with dignity, can still reward those who yield to its rhythm.


As domestic cricket and franchise leagues become the new canvas for senior pros, Rahane could find his next chapter there. Rather than chasing comebacks, he could redefine contribution—not through runs but through mentorship. Young cricketers need emotional role models as much as technical ones. In Rahane, they can learn the priceless art of timing—not just in batting, but in life itself. His demeanor, his respect for the game, and his mental poise could inspire a generation that sometimes confuses aggression with confidence.


The conversation around Rahane’s future should not be framed as a lament for what was lost but as a celebration of what still can be gained. If he moves into a mentorship or coaching role in the next few years, Indian cricket would gain an educator of empathy—a man who knows that leadership is not about being loud, but about listening. Players like Rahane remind us that the spirit of sport is not competition alone, but continuity. His intellect, humility, and soft-spoken steel can shape future Indian teams in ways no stat sheet ever could.


Some cricketers are remembered for their centuries; others for their courage. Rahane will be remembered for his humanity. His batting—precise, thoughtful, often selfless—has mirrored his approach to life. He could have chased individual milestones but chose moments that lifted the team instead. That, perhaps, is his legacy: not flamboyant, not dramatic, but enduringly human. His journey, even if nearing its final innings on the pitch, still holds immeasurable worth off it.


In time, fans may forget his exact numbers, but they will remember the essence of his calm—in Melbourne, in Lord’s, in countless pressure moments where courage wore silence. And when he finally decides to hang up his boots, Ajinkya Rahane will walk away not as someone who faded out, but as someone who knew exactly when to let go—a man who understood that just as in batting, timing is everything, even in life.


The future of Ajinkya Rahane is not confined to scorecards or selections anymore. It rests in the quiet power of his example, the timeless inspiration of his character, and the enduring truth that grace, no matter the era, never goes out of style.


(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)

 

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